Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Martina Navratilova

Public opinion and media debates around Martina Navratilova—discover key moments of controversy.

Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former professional tennis player, is considered one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks and in doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova amassed an Open Era record of 59 major titles: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles, along with 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles. Her nine Wimbledon singles titles remain an all-time record. She, alongside Chris Evert, dominated women's tennis during the 1980s.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

July 30, 1981: Coming Out as Bisexual

On July 30, 1981, the New York Daily News published an article where Martina Navratilova came out as bisexual, revealing a relationship with Rita Mae Brown. The article was published despite Navratilova's request to wait until she was ready to come out publicly.

1991: Split from Judy Nelson

In 1991, Martina Navratilova split from Judy Nelson, resulting in a televised palimony lawsuit that was settled out of court.

2007: Criticism of the U.S. under George W. Bush

In 2007, Martina Navratilova was quoted as being ashamed of the U.S. under President George W. Bush due to his democratically elected status, contrasting it with the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

February 2019: Controversy over Transgender Athletes

In February 2019, Martina Navratilova wrote an article for The Times expressing her criticism of allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports, leading to Athlete Ally removing her from their advisory board.

March 2019: Apology for Using the Term "Cheating"

In March 2019, Martina Navratilova apologized for using the word "cheating" when discussing the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. She also advocated for open debate rooted in scientific evidence.

April 2019: Op-ed on the Equality Act

In April 2019, Martina Navratilova wrote an article for The Washington Post, expressing her opinion that the Equality Act, in its current form, would eliminate sex-based differentiation in women's sports.

June 2019: BBC Broadcast on Transgender Athletes

In June 2019, the BBC broadcast "The Trans Women Athlete Dispute with Martina Navratilova," where Navratilova presented evidence from both sides of the debate of whether trans women have any advantage in elite sports.

August 2020: Signed Letter Supporting Idaho Law

In August 2020, Martina Navratilova, along with over 300 women, signed a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association supporting Idaho's law to ban transgender women student-athletes from women's sports.

2021: Leader of Women's Sports Policy Working Group

In 2021, Martina Navratilova became a leader of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, which was formed in response to US President Joe Biden's Executive Order 13988, to protect women in sports while accommodating trans athletes where possible.

April 2023: Support for Nike Boycott

In April 2023, Martina Navratilova supported a boycott of Nike because they entered into a corporate sponsorship with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman, to advertise a sports bra.

October 2023: Criticism of Deb Haaland and Pattie Gonia

In October 2023, Martina Navratilova criticized US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland's interview with the drag queen Pattie Gonia, calling her a "pathetic parody of women."

2024: Condemnation of IOC

In 2024, Martina Navratilova repeatedly condemned the International Olympic Committee for allowing Imane Khelif to box in the 2024 Summer Olympics, because Navratilova believes that Khelif is male, not female.